Vehicle-wheel and rim therefor.



'J. H. WAGENHORST.

VEHICLE WHEEL AND RIM THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10. I912.-

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET l.

J. H. WAGENHORST.

VEHICLE WHEEL AND RIM THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10. 1912.

1,160,222, Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

m VII/In III/A'InIIIIA I Iii/II a Wm H wyww I I I /8 5] wuc n 1 to t .I. H. WAGENHORST.

VEHICLE WHEEL AND RIM THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10. 1912.

1,160,222. Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET '3.

J. H. WAGENHORST.

VEHICLE WHEEL AND RIM THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 10. 1912.

1,1 60,222. Patented Nov. 16, 1915 v 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

173G. 16. FIG 5 5;

JAMEs H. wAeENIIoEsT, or AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, or

TWO-FIFTHS To THE B. F. GOODRICH COMPANY, 0E NEW YORK, N. Y., A comman- TIoN or NEW YORK, ONE-FIFTH To THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, or

KnoN, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO, AND ONE-FIFTH To THE U ITED sTATEs TIRE ooMrANY, OF N W YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 01? EW YORK.

VEHICLE-WHEEL AND RIM THEREFOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES H. WAGEN- HORST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, county of. Summit, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle-Wheels and Rims Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

This inventionrelates to vehicle wheels,

and particularly to improvements in the.

means for securing pneumatic or other resilient tires theretor My invent on comprises improvements in the manner of securing a demountable tirecarrying rim upon a vehicle wheel and also improvements in the structure of tire-carrying rims.

It has heretofore been common practice to provide vehicle wheels with removable rims for carrying pneumatic or other resilient tires, the rims being removably secured upon the wheels so as to permit a rim with a tire mounted thereon to be readily removed and replaced by another rim provided with a tire. Such structures are known as dem ountable rims (whose tirecarrying element will be hereinafter designated as the removable rim forpurposc of distinction between it and the circular rim of the wheel, in which the outer ends of the spokes are inserted, and which is ,sometimes termed fixed rim, and will be hereinafter so designated in accordance with the requirement of the Patent Oflice) They are particularly advantageous when used with pneumatic tires, as a removable rim with a ready-inflated tire thereon may be substituted for another rim carrying a damaged tire, quickly and with little labor. The delays incident to changing a pneumatic tire upon a removable rim and to inflation of the tire are thus eliminated. Removable rims, as heretofore constructed, have generally been secured upon wheels by means ofbolts, wedges, or other attaching devices, though in some cases a transversely split removable rim has been used which has been contracted upon the wheel felly either by the pressure of the air in thetire or by some contracting device, the removable rim being thus clamped in position. Such contractible rims have operated satisfactorily in some Specification of Letters Paten t. Patented Nov, 16, 1915 Application filed June 10, 1912. Serial No. 702,852.

carrying removable rim, but at the same time provide means for removably securing a removable rim upon a wheel felly quickly and firmly. I accomplish this result by transversely splitting the fixed rim itself and providing means for expanding the same within the tire-carrying or removablef rim, or contracting the same so as to permit the tire-carrying rim to be removed.

My invention is particularly applicable to wheels witli metallic rims and wire spokes, as in such wheels the fixed rim may be expanded and contracted easily and without danger of racking the wheel as in the case of the ordinary wooden artillery wheel.

The nature of my improvements in removable rims will fully appear from the following detailed description:

In the accompanying drawings, which form ,a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vehicle wheel carrying a removable rim with a tire mounted thereon and illustrating one embodiment of my invention; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on line II,II of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section taken on line III MIII of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a transverse section through a portion of the tire-carrying or removable rim removed from the wheel, the rim flanges being reversed to engage a straight-sided tire; Fig. 5 is a side elevation ofa portion of the fixed rim, the removable rim and base of the tire, shown in Fig. 1, the ends of the fixed rim being shown drawn together to" contract the fixed rim; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of another portion of the fixed rim, the removable rim, and base of the tire, a portion of the removable rim being broken away to show the locking lugs formed at the ends of the removable flange of the removable rim, the dust cap being shown in section; Fig. 7 is a plan view ofa portion of being removed, its lugs being shown in section in locked position in the slotsiorrned in the removable rim. The end of the tool is shown inserted between the lugs preparatory to unlocking the lugs from their slots; Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a portion of a fixed rim, the removable rim, and tire, illustrating a modified form of bolt for expanding and contracting the 'fixed rim, a portion of the removable rim being broken away; Fig. 10

is a transverse section on an enlarged scaleof the transversely split removable tire-retaining flange and of a fragment of the removable rim base; Fig. 11 is a plan view of the under-side of a portion of the tire-carrying or removable rim showing the slots therein for receiving the lugs on the ends of the transversely split tire-retaining flange, and showing the dust cap swung. out of its operative position in order to expose said slots; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a vehicle wheelfixed rim and removable rim with a tire thereon embodying a modified form of my invention; Fig. 13 is a transverse section through the base of the tire, removable rim, and fixed rim on line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 isa circumferential section through the parts shown in Fig. 13 on line XIVXIV of that figure; Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13, the section bein on line XV'-XV of Fig. 12; Fig. 16 is a p an view of a portion of the fixed rim of the wheel shown in Fig. 12, the tire-carrying removable rim and tire being removed and the wedges being forced in to expand the fixed rim; Fig. 1 is a view similar to Fig. 16 with the wedges drawn out to permit the fixed rim to contract; Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the two wedges removed from the fixed-rim; Fig. 19 is a circumferential section through a tire-carrying or removable rim and the felly or fixed rim of a wheel illustrating a modified means for expanding and contracting the fixed rim; Fig. 20 is a transverse section on line XXXX of Fig. 19, the removable rim and tire being removed; Fig-"21 is a view showing a portion of the base of the removable rim in see- I tion and showing the ends of the transversely split locking ring in side elevation, this figure illustrating in section a modified form of dust cap for inclosing the locking lugs; Fig. 22 is a transverse section on line XXII-XXII of- Fig. 21; Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 21 showing the dust cap screwed away from the undersurface of the fixed rim sufficiently to permit it 'to be rotated away from the locking lugs, such rotated position being indicated in dotted lines; Fig. 24: is a view similar to Fig. 21, illustrating a modified form .of dust cap; Fig. 25 is a view of the under-side of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 24., the

dust cap and its supporting stud being shown in section; Fig. 26 is a view of the parts shown in Fig. 24, the dust cap being screwed away from the under-surface of the fixed rim to permit access to the locking lugs.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 8 and 10 and 11, the numeral 1 designates a vehicle wheel having a hub 2, a fixed rim 3 and spokes 4.

-As shown in the drawings, the spokes are of Wire, the fixed rim comprising a rolled metallic channel having legs 5 and 6 of unequal height. I do not wish to limit my invention exclusively to wheels of this construction, however, although certain features of my invention are best adapted to use in connection with wire wheels.

The fixed rim 3 is transversely split at the point 7, a lug 8 being provided near each end thereof. Said lugs 8 are adapted to be engaged by the means for expanding and contracting the fixed rim, said means in the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprising the right and left screw or turn-buckle 9, the ends of which screw through properly threaded holes in the lugs 8, the screw being provided with a central hexagonal head 10 by which the same may be rotated to expand and contract the fixed rim. The means for contracting and ex panding the fixed rim may, however, be

screw-head at the end of the screw permits the application of a ratchet wrench thereto. In the construction shown in Fig. 9 one part of the screw 12 is made of greater diameter than the oppositely threaded portion 13, thus permitting the parts to be easily assembled. It is obvious that the expanding and contracting means can be modified in many other ways.

14 is the tire-carrying or removable rim, which may be of any suitable construction, either split or endless, but it preferably comprises the endless rim base 15, having the seats 16 and 17 of different heights, adapted toseat on the bearing surfaces of different heights formed by the edges of the itself from the leg more easily upon a slight lateral movement of the removable rim if such a seat be provided. In remov able rims having a depressed channel at one 5 edge thereof for the reception of a removable tire-retaining flange, as in the form herein illustrated, the seat 17 may be advantageously, formed by offsetting the inner wall of this channel as shown. The portion 18 of the channel wall engages the side of the leg 6 and serves to'limit lateral movement of the removable rim upon the wheel and thus insures a proper alinement of the removable rim and fixed rim when the-parts are assembled. It is to be understood that by making the legs 5 and 6 of the channel of. different heights, the fixed 'rim is provided at its edges with bearing surfaces of different diameters upon which seat the bearing surfaces of corresponding diameters of the removable. rim. The provision of bearing surfaces of diflerentdiameters is most important, as it permits the free application and removal of the removable rim with the minimum of clearance between theremovable rim and fixed rim. The valve stem may be buttonholed through its opening in the fixed rim and the removable rim seated in position thereon or removed therefrom with only a fraction of the clearance essential to permit a removable rim to be similarly applied to a flat fixed rim. This is of the greatest advantage, as it necessitates only a very limited expansion and contraction of the fixed rim. As will be obvious, a requirement of any large expansion or contraction to effect the desired result would be prohibitive as the wheel structure does not permit of extended variation in size.

The removable rim base is provided at one side with the channel 19 for receiving the base 20 of thetransversely split remov- I able tire-retaining flange 21. The outer wall 22 of this channel is preferably bent 15 inward to form an overhanging hook-shaped flange, which engages the base 20 of the tire-retaining flange, the base being formed of dovetail cross section as shown, in order to interlock with the hooked outer wall 22. In removable rims of this class as heretofore constructed, the outer wall of the channel has been vertical, and the side Walls of the base of the tire-retaining flange have also been vertical. The present structure is a decided improvement over the former practice, as by bending the outer wall of the channel inward and interlocking it with the base of the tire-retaining flange, the tire-retaining flange is reinforced and strengthened by the wall ofrthe channel, and both it mid the channel wall may be made of lighter construction than is found necessary where these parts do not interlock. A material savingin weight is thus-efl'ected. his is a 5 very important reslglt, as excessive weight has been one of the principal objections to removable rims provided with detachable tire-. retaining flanges, particularly where such flanges are made reversible so as to take both clencher and straight-sided tires, thus making the removable rim what is known as a universal removable rim.

As will be noted, both sides of the base 20 of the flange 21 are undercut, so that the flange is reversible, it being shown in engagement with a clencher tire in Figs. 2 and 3, and in engagement with a straight-sided tire in Fig. 4. The side of the flange 21 formed for engagement with a straightsided tire, has an'annular bearing surface 23 of convex section, which engages a side of the tire as shown in Fig. 4, the flange being provided with a groove 2-1 below its curved bearing surface, inorder to reduce the weight of the flange. For retaining the tire at the opposite side of the removable rim, the latter may be provided with an integral tire-retaining flange, but is preferably provided with a low, inwardly hooked flange 25, which engages with an endless removable and reversible tire-retaining flange 26.

For securing the transversely split removable tire-retaining flange 21 in its channel 19 at the side of the removable rim base, I have devised improved locking means Which will now be described. In accordance with my improvement, the ends of the flange are provided with lugs 27 and 28, which are preferably similarly shaped. Each of these lugs has a body part 29 and an extension 30,

the extensions of the two lugs approaching each other. The back of each lug has a notch 31 formed therein. The bottom of the channel 19 is provided with two slots 32 and 33 for the reception of these lugs. The slot 32 is of the same length as the body portions 29 of the lugs, but is made of somewhat greater width than the lugs, as shown in Fig. 8, so as to permit the lug therein to be moved laterally sufliciently to free the undercut base portion .20 of the flange from the hooked wall 22 of the channel. The second slot 33 is made much wider than the slot 32 and is provided with a circumferentially.

offset portion 34 of sufficient width to receive the body portion of one of the lugs.

The operation of this structure is as follows: It being desired to apply the split flange to the removable rim base, one of the lugs, for example 27, is inserted in the slot 32, this being accomplished by tilting the end of the flange at an angle to the removable rim base so as to permit the extension 30 of the lug to be first passed through the slot The base portion of the flange is then seated in the channel 19, the extension 30 of the lu 27 engaging beneath the portion of the bottom of the channel between the slots and 33 as shown in Fig. 6. As

the slot 32 and fits the same closely, thus preventing circumferential movement of movement of the lugs even though the tire should accidentally become deflated. It is obvious that any other suitable locking device for holding the lugs in position can be that end of the flange with relation to the used if desired, for example, the dust cover removable rim base. The width of the slot for the lugs can be made to perform that 32 being slightly greater than that of the function, as will be hereinafter described. lug, permits the lug to be inserted and the To remove the flange from the removable flange'bearing the lug to be moved later ally rim, the clip 43 is pushed up by the Valve until the dovetail-shaped base 20 of the stem in the usual manner and the end of the flange engages beneath the hooked outer. lever 36 or other suitable tool inserted bewall 22 of the channel. The base 20 of the tween the ends of the extension portions- 30 flange is then sprung into the channel all of the lugs 27 and 28, as shown in'Fig. 8, the way around the removable rim, beginand used to pry the lug 28 out of engagening at the lug 27. The second lug 28 is ment with the shoulder 35. The flange is then inserted in the offset ortion 34. of the thus loosened, permitting the lug 28 to be slot 33 as shown in Fig. 7. The flange is lifted from the slot 33, when the flange may then drawn tightly about-its seat, and the be removed in an obvious manner. lug 28 is forced laterally outward in the slot In order to cover the slots 32 and 33 and 33 until the rear wall of the body portion 29 the lugs projecting therethrough, I preferof-the lug 28 engages the wall 35 of the slot ably provide a dust cap 44 whlch is remov- 33 as shown in Fig. 8. The flange is thus ably secured in position in any suitable manlocked tight upon its seat and held against ner; for example, the dust cap may be expansion. mounted upon a spring arm 45 which is piv- The drawing together of the ends of the oted to the bottom of the channel portion of flange and moving of the lug 28 laterally in the removable rim b the pivot 46. W'ith the slot 33, as above described, may be acthis construction it w1l1 be seen that the dust complished in any suitable manner, but cap maybe sprung away from the removpreferably by means of a tool such as that able rim sufficiently to clear the projecting illustrated in Fig. 7. This figure shows the portions of the lugs, and may thus be swung tool applied to the lugs just preparatory to about pivot 46 as indicated in Fig. 11, to operating the same to contracttheflangeupon expose the lugs and permit of their engageits seat and move the lug 28 laterally into ment by the operating tool. After the oplocked position. The tool shown comprises era-ting tool has been removed, the dust cap a lever 36 having an arm 37 terminating in may be swung back in position and sprung a hook 38 which engages in the notch 31 over the lugs, the engagement of the lugs formed in the lug 27, the notched portion of with the walls of'the dust cap preventing its the lug projecting below the bottom of the accidental lateral displacement. The side channel 19 as shown in Figs. 3 and 6. Piv-' walls of the dust cap or-cover are preferably otedto the lever 36 by means of a pivot 39 made to fit the lugs closely, so that the dust is an arm 40 terminating in a hook 41 which cover will prevent the lug 28 from moving engages the notch 31 formed in the lug 28. laterally sufficiently to enter the oflset por- It will be seen that by moving the lever 36 the tion 34 of the slot 33. It will be seen that hook 41 will draw the lug 28 toward the lug although the dust cover is not rigidly con- 27, thus tightening the flange upon its seat, nected to the .removable rim, it will act in and that when the lug 28 reaches the wide this manner as it fits the two lugs closely part of the slot 33 the tool will have a tendand cannot pivot thereon, and the lug 27 is ency to draw the. lug outward until its rear capable of only a very limited lateral movewall seats against the wall 35 of the slot 33 ment in its slot. Thus, even if the dust as shown in Fig. 8. The applicatioinof the cover shifts laterally with the lugs, the lug tool to the lugs in a plane practicall paral- 28 can move no farther than the lug 27 and lel to that of the rims the hooked ormacannot become disengaged from the shoultion of the ends of the tool arms make this der 35. v I lateral shifting of the lug in the slot possible. It will be seen that by using a movable Any suitable means may be used for predust cap I am enabled to apply the operatventing the lug 28 from slipping inward so ing tool for the flange directly to the proas to loosen the flange. When the tire is in- .je'cting portions of the lugs and thus avoid fiate'd' the air pressure will be ample for this the necessity for providing sockets in the purpose. As a matter of precaution, howends of the split flange expressly for enever, the valve stem 42 may be'located oppogagement with the operating tool, as has site to the split in the flange, the valve stem heretofore been found necessary. Such being provided with the usual clip 43 as sockets are unsightly and have usually been illustrated in Fig. 3, which serves 'to hold made as small as possible, with the result the tire pressed against the flange opposite that they are often unsatisfactory for the s; to the lugs and thus prevent the inward purposes for which they are intended, and

20 have been requined.

provide a very insecure engagement for the operating tool. They also fill up with dirt which must be cleaned out topermit the tool to be applied. The lockinglugs, on the other hand, are necessarily amply large and strong and afford excellent engagementthe operating tool directly with the lugs, but

special connections for the operating tool In mounting the tire-carrying removable rim upon the wheel with the transversely split fixed rim as above described, the removable rim is preferably so located upon the fixed rim that the locking lugs, 'dust cover, and valve stem and clip are diametrically opposite to. the expanding means for the fixed rim. The weight of these parts is thus utilized to counterbalance the weight of the expanding means and a substantially balanced wheel is obtained. -In Figs. 12 to 18 I have illustrated a modified form of my invention in which wedges are used to expand the fixed rim. For purposes of illustration I have shown the fixed rim as transversely split at two diametrically opposite points, but this is not necessary, as the wedges maybe used for expanding a fixed rim split at one or a plu-' rality of points, and the turn-buckle .arrangement shown in Fig.- 1 may be utilized with a fixed rim split in more than one point if desired. The construction of the wedgesfor expanding the fixed rim is illustrated in detail in Figs. 13, 14., 16, 17 and 18.

is the fixed rim transversely split at diametrically opposite points. The adjacent ends of the fixed rim are beveled in opposite directions from the center, as indicated at 51 in Figs. 16 and 17 The fixed rim is preferably channel-shaped as in the form of my invention previously described,

it being provided with-flanges 52 and 53 forming the bearing surfaces of different diameters for the tire-carrying removable rim. For forcing the ends of the fixed rim apart, I provide a pair of wedges 54 which are adapted to be engaged with the beveled ends of the fixed rim and turn-buckle to force the ends apart. Each wedge 54: has converging wedging surfaces 55 which engage the beveled ends of the fixed rim,

these surfaces having projecting therefrom the parallgl lugs 56 which engage the outer and inner surfaces of the bottom of the channel and thus serve' to guide the wedges and enable. the wedges to lock the ends ofthe fixed rim in alinement so far as radial displacement is concerned. Each of the wedges has a screw-threaded hole 57 therethr'ough, one

of the wedges of each pair being provided with a right-hand thread, while the other has a left-hand thread therein. For drawing the wedges together,.a right and lefthand' screw 58 is used which extends transversely ofthe fixed rim and is provided at one end with a head 59 for the reception'of a key or wrench. The wedges held together with the right and left hand screw serve to hold the ends of the fixed rim against lateral displacement as well as against radial displacement, but as additional means for assuring accurate alinement of the ends ofthe fixed rim and preventing any possibility of lateral displacement, I preferably attach to one end of/the fixed rim a projecting tongue 60 which slides in a guide-way formed upon the other end of the fixed rim in any suitable manner, as by attaching blocks 61 thereto between which the end of the tongue 60 slides. These parts are preferably secured inside the fixed rim channel. to the bottom thereof, so that they are concealed from view when the wheel is in use. The wedges drawn together with a screw form a very powerful means for expanding the fixed 'rim and enable the same to be expanded within the tire-carrying removable rim with great force, thus insuring a tight clamping of the removable rim on the fixed rim. It is unnecessary to provide any special means for contracting the fixed rim, as the spokes of the wheel are under high tension and diametrically contract the fixed rim'to an extent suificient to permit the removable rim to be removed therefrom as soon as the .wedges are withdrawn sufliciently to permit such contraction. Fig. 17 shows the wedges thus withdrawn, while Figs. 12, 13, 14 and 16 show the wedges forced together and the" fixed rim expanded.

62 represents the nipples into which the ends of the spokes 63 are screwed. As will be seen from Figs. 16 and 17, the spokes are preferably so arranged that when the fixed rim is expanded they will be evenly spaced, the spokes adjacent to the point where the fixed rim is split approaching each other somewhat when the fixed rim is contracted as shown in Fig. 17. Fig. 12 shows a desirable arrangement of the means for the fixed rim, the valve-stem and the locking means and-dust cap for securing the ends of the transversely split removable flange of the removable rim when a rim of such character isused. Aswill be seen from this figure, these parts are evenly spaced expanding about the periphery of the wheel. The

valve-stem dust cap is indicated at 64, while is the dust cap for inclosing the locking lugs on the ends of the transversely split tirerretaining flange. The two sets of wedges 54 exactly balance each other,-while the valve-stem and its associated parts approximately balance the locking lugs of the removable tire-retaining flange and the dust cap therefor. A substantially balanced wheel is thus obtained.

In Figs. 12, 13, 14', 15, 21, 22 and 23 I have shown a slightly modified form of tirecarrying removable rim adapted tobe removably secured upon a wheel having the expansible fixed rim, as above described, although this removable rim is capable of being removably secured upon a wheel by the use of any other appropriate devices or of being permanently secured upon a wheel, as may be desired. In the form illustrated the tire-carrying removable rim comprises a rim base 66 having a flange 67 atone edge thereof which engages the endless reversible tire-retaining flange 26. At the other side the rim base has a depressed channel 68 formed therein, this channel preferably having an inwardly hooked outer wall 69. In this channel is received the base 20 of the transversely split tire-retaining flange 21 of the form already fully described. The bottom of the channel 68 is provided with the slots 32 and 33 for the reception of the lugs 27 and 28 formed upon the ends of the flange 21. The inner side wall of the channel 68 preferably has an oifset formed there'- in similar to the ofl'set formed in the wall of the channel of the rim base illustrated in Figs. 1 to 11, the bottom wall 70 of this 0&- set forming a bearing surface adapted to engage the bearing surface formed by the lower flange53 of the channel-shaped felly or fixed rim 50. The sidewall of the chanbearing surface upon the removable rim of greater diameter than the bearing surface 0. It will be seen that when the fixed rim is expanded an edge of the flange 52 will be the ends of the removable tire-retaining flange, instead of being mounted upon the end of a spring arm pivoted to the removable rim, as in the form of my invention previously described, is attached to the re- For this purpose a stud 72 is riveted to thebottom of the channel of the removable rim base, this stud carrying a screw-threaded nut 73 which rotates freely about the stud and is retained in'position by ahead 74. The cover 65 has a solid piece 75 at one end thereof which has a screw-threaded opening therethrough and screws upon the nut 73. The rotation of the nut will cause the cover to move toward or away from the removable rim. When the cover is screwed away from the removable rim into the positi 11 shown in Fig. 23, its movement in that direction will be checked by reason of its engagement with the head 76 of the nut 73.

The further rotation of the nut through a half revolution will throw the cover into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 23, where it will be entirely out of the way of the lugs projecting through the slots in the removable rim and will permit a tool to be applied to the lugs for operating the same as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8. The cover is preferably provided with a flange 77. in order to completely close the slots in the removable rim. The recess in the dust cover is preferably made of the same width as the lugs, so that when the cover is screwed up it will closely engage the lugs, as shown in Fig. 22. The cover will thus serve to prevent the lateral movement and possible disengagement of the lugs, and so acts as a lock for the lugs as well as simply to exclude dust or water from the lugs and slots. When the cover is constructed in this manner it is unnecessary to place a clip in the tire opposite the split in the flange, or to use any other locking means for the flange, and this makes it possible to locate the valve-stem opposite to the splitin the flange and thus secure a better balancing of the wheel.

In Figs. 24, 25 and 26 I have illustrated a modification of the form of dust cover above described. In this form of my invention the construction of the removable rim base with the slots therein and the transversely split removable tire-retaining flange provided with the lugs projecting through the slots is the same as that above described, except that the distance between the slots is preferably made somewhat greater and the lugs are placed somewhat farther from the ends of the flange.

78 is the dust cover which is carried by means of a stud 79 riveted to the rim. The stud 79 is externally threaded as indicated at 80, and upon this threaded portion of the stud screws a nut 81 having a head 82. The nut 81 is preferably externally threaded, as indicated at 8,3, and upon this externally threaded portion screws the dust cap which 132 shown in Fig. 24 to that shown in Fig. 26. WVith the dust cover in the position shown.

in Fig. 26, a tool may be applied to the lugs as indicated in Fig. 7. In order to disengage the. lug 28, a tool may be used'as ind.i cated in Fig. 8, except that the end of the.

tool will be inserted between the end of the lug and the stud 79. The dust cover is preferably made of a width to fit the lugs closely, as indicated in Fig. 25, for the purpose of locking the lugs against lateral displacement, as described above. The dust cover is preferably provided with a flange 85 to completely close the slots in the rim.

In Figs. 19 and 20 I have illustrated a modified means for connecting the ends of the split fixed'rim and effecting the expansion and contraction of the latter. In these figures 86 is the fixed rim, which is preferably of channel-shape, as shown in Fig. 20.

The bottom of the channel is notched at the side of the split therein, as shown at.87 in Fig. 19. Secured to each end of the fixed .rim is a lug 88 which preferably has anextension 89 welded, riveted or otherwise secured to the inside of the bottom of the channel where it will be out of sight and will not detract from the appearance ofthe wheel. The lugs pass through the slots 87 and preferably have shoulders 90 engaging beneath the bottom of the fixed rim channel.

The adjacentfaces of the lugs 88 have cylindrical recesses 91 therein, screw-threaded openings 92 being formed through the lugs in alinement with these recesses 91. A right and left screw or turn-buckle is used to connect the lugs, such turn-buckle comprising the threaded portions 93, which screw through the threaded openings through the lugs, the cylindrical portions 94 which slide in the recesses 91 and the central head or faceted portion 95 shaped to be engaged by a wrench or other suitable means for turn.- ing the same. The cylindrical portions 94 sliding in the recesses in the lugs serve to maintain the ends of the fixed rim in accurate alinement. In other respects the operation of this turn-buckle is the same as that of the structure illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. As will be understood, if desired the fixed rim may be divided at two or more points as indicated in Fig. 12, a correspond.-

ing number of the turn-buckles being used. While I have illustrated in the drawings further than as specified in some of the more limited claims hereunto appended.

As will be understood, certain features of my invention may be used without others, and I have therefore included claims for these individual features by themselves. All of the features of the invention, however,

when embodied in a single structure cooperate to produce a superior vehicle wheel construction, in which thefresilient tire may be readily attached to the tire-carrying rim, and in which such removable rim is capable of being applied to or removed from the wheeL- Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a vehicle wheel, in combination, a resilient tire, a removable rim therefor, a fixed rim consisting of a transversely split metal channel, and means for expanding said fixed rim circumferentially within the removable rim consisting of a pair of horizontally disposed wedges engaging the ends of said fixed rim.

2 In a vehicle wheel, in combination, a res1l1ent tire, a removable rim for carrying the same, a transversely split fixed rim consisting of a channel, and means for separating the ends of said fixed rim to expand it within the removable rim, said means comprising a pair of horizontally'movable 0ppositely disposed wedges.

3. The combination of a vehicle wheel comprising a hub, tensioning spokes, a transversely split metal channel constituting the fixed rim, and means for expanding said fixed rim circumferentially, with a tirecarrying' removable rim adapted to be clamped upon said fixed rim'by the expansion of the same within said removable rim,

said means comprising a pair of horizontally movable oppositely disposed Wedges.

4. In a vehicle wheel, in combination, a tire-carrying removable rim for a resilient tire, said rim'having bearing surfaces of different diameters located near the edges thereof, a metallic channel constituting a fixed rim having bearing surfaces of corresponding diameters at the edges thereof, and meansfor expanding said fixed rim within said rim, said means comprising a pair of horizontally movable oppositely disposed wedges.

5. In a vehicle wheel, in combination, a tire-carrying removable rim for a resilient tire, said rim having a pair of annular bearing surfaces of different diameters, one located near each edge of the rim, a meing comparatively narrow annular bearing an inwardly projecting portion provided With an annular bearing surface, a metallic channel constituting a fixed rim having flanges at the edges thereof of different heights, the edges of said flanges forming bearing surfaces of different diameters, and means for expanding said fixed rim within said removable rim, said removable rim seating on said bearing surfaces, said means comprising a pair of horizontally movable op ositely disposed wedges.

. The combination of a vehicle wheel comprising a hub, tensioning spokes, and a metal channel having outwardly bent flanges of different heights at the edges thereof and constituting a fixed rim, said rim being transversely split and provided with means for expanding and contracting the same consisting of a pair of horizon? tally disposed Wedges engaging the ends of said fixed rim, and a tire-carrying removable rim for a resilient tire, said tire-carrying rim having bearing surfaces of different diameters adapted to seat upon the flanges of said fixed rim. 1 i

8. In a vehicle Wheel, in combination, a tire-carrying removable rim for a resilient tire, a'fixed rimacomprising a transversely split metallic channel, and means for ex panding said fixed 'rim Within said removable rim comprising a horizontally disposed W'edge having a pair of flanges extending from each side thereof, an end of the fixed rim being received between each pair of flanges, whereby the ends of the fixed rim are maintained in alinement against radial displacement, and means for forcing said Wedge laterally of the fixed rim to expand the same.

9. In a vehicle wheel, in combination, a

sitely beveled from the sides toward the cen ter, a tongue carried by one end of the fixed rim sliding in a guide on the other end of the fixed rim, and a pairof horizontally disposed Wedges having convergent Wedging faces adapted to engage the beveled end portions of the fixed rim, said wedges having flanges between which said end por-' tions are received, and a screw connecting said wedges and by which the same maybe drawn toward each other to expand the fixed rim.

10. Ina vehicle wheel, in combination, a tire-carrying removable rim for a resilient tire, ,a fixed rim transversely split at diametrically opposite points, and means carried by the fixed rim at such points for expanding the same, said means comprising pairs of horizontally disposed wedges.

11. In a vehicle Wl16Bl,'lIl combination, a tire-carrying removable rim having an annular groove in the under-surface thereof, a fixed rim having a flange of substantially the same Width as said groove adapted to enter said groove, and means for expanding said fixed rim within said removable rim to cause said flange to enter said groove.

12. In a vehicle Wheel, in combination, a

.removable tire-carrying rim having an annular groove in the under-surface thereof near one side of the same and having near the other side'thereof a bearing surface of less diameter than the bottom. of said groove, a fixed rim having a flange at one side thereof, the edge of said flange adapted to enter the annular groove in the removable rim, said fixed rim having a bearing surface at the other side thereof adapted to engage the bearing surface at the corresponding side of the removable rim, and means for expanding said fixed rim within said removable rim to cause their respective bearing surfaces to engage and the flange on the fixed rim to enter the groove in the removable rim.

JAMES H. WAGENHORST. Witnesses:

SEWARD DAvIs, EDMUND 'QUlm or MosEs; 

